Mom, accused of locking boys out in heat, faces abuse charge

A Raleigh mother, accused of keeping her four sons locked outside Friday evening in heat that was near triple digits, faces a misdemeanor charge of child abuse.

Susanne Marie Boone, 26, of Apartment C at 6132 St. Giles St., was arrested at 7:50 p.m. Friday after police officers arrived and tried to persuade her to let her children back into the house, Raleigh police say. The boys - 8, 6, 4 and 3 years old - were stuck outside in 92 degree weather, said Raleigh Police Department spokesperson Jim Sughrue.

The National Weather Service lists Friday's high at 100 degrees.

Boone has been charged with one count of misdemeanor child abuse, and Sughrue said the children are now with their father. The state Department of Social Services has received notification of the charge against Boone.

Police at the scene of the incident could not establish why the children were locked outside, Sughrue said.

Boone left the Wake County jail on Sunday after posting $1,000 in bail. Her first court appearance was Monday.